Reach Podcast
Penn State is a national leader in university research and receives over $900 million in funding annually. Producers Beth Bamford and Cole Cullen sit down with researchers to discuss what they are studying, and why it matters to the people listening and the impact in their communities. We will share insights about the collaboration between disciplines, other universities and government agencies. Give a listen as we understand successes, challenges, and the impact of university research.
Episodes
Habitable Planets
Dr. Eric Ford, director of Penn State’s Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds, explains the search for planets beyond our solar system, focusing on those in the “habitable zone” where liquid water can exist.
10/13/25 | 27m 29s
Microplastics
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles under five millimeters found throughout the environment—in oceans, rivers, and sediments. Dr. Nathaniel Warner of Penn State explains they come from everyday sources like water bottles, clothing fibers, and tires.
10/6/25 | 28m 24s
Mine Water Runoff
Pennsylvania’s abandoned coal mines cause acidic, metal-contaminated water harming streams and aquatic life. Dr. Bill Burgos studies cleanup methods using active and passive treatment plants.
9/29/25 | 34m 28s
3D Bioprinting
Dr. Deepak Gupta, a postdoctoral researcher at Penn State, works on 3D bioprinting—using modified 3D printers to create tissues like bone and skin from biocompatible materials and living cells.
9/22/25 | 25m 18s
Empathy
Dr. Daryl Cameron is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Penn State. He explains empathy as sharing feelings, perspective-taking, and compassion.
9/15/25 | 47m 19s
Synthetic Blood
A team of Researchers, led by Dr. Dipanjan Pan of Penn State, have been developing synthetic blood for over a decade to address critical needs in emergency and battlefield medicine.
9/8/25 | 23m 36s
Helping Developing Countries
In this, the final episode of season 1 of the Reach podcast, Beth and Cole sit down with 3 researchers to talk about the work being done at Penn State to help developing countries.
11/18/19 | 32m 24s
Human and Environmental Health
In the seventh episode of the Reach podcast, we sit down with 3 researchers to talk about human and environmental health.
7/31/19 | 28m 47s
Diseases and Wildlife
In the 6th episode of the Reach podcast, we discuss diseases in wildlife.
7/31/19 | 17m 26s
Spotted Lanternfly
In the 5th episode of the Reach podcast, Dr. Julie Urban joins us in-studio to discuss the Spotted Lanternfly and the severity of the impact to agriculture.
7/31/19 | 29m 3s
Technology
This episode, the 4th of the Reach podcast, includes interviews with 2 researchers that talk about not only how technology affects us as humans, but how tech can help us as well.
7/31/19 | 33m 9s
Climate Change
In the third episode of the Reach podcast, we sit down with 3 researchers to talk about climate change.
7/31/19 | 24m 24s
More from WPSU Digital
Year-Round Gardening
Year-Round Gardening gives basic gardening tips throughout the year. The instructional clips feature Penn State Extension Educators and Master Gardeners.
In Their Own Words Podcast
Interviews and conversations with musicians from the African Diaspora regarding their impact on American music.
World Kitchen
World Kitchen is a free interactive cooking class presented on Zoom so that you can follow along to create the recipe with each guest chef.
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